In one year, approximately 26 percent of the American population volunteered eight billion hours. With so many services, there had to be motive. People view time as precious, so by devoting eight billion hours in total, they've devoted it to a good cause - and of course, a cause that benefits something or someone. Community service is fundamentally a beneficial action that people perform for their community. Its history begins with the first colonies. In difficult times, people selflessly reached out to help others. Especially when they were moving, farming, or trying to avoid disease, they had to rely on each other to be able to survive. Even though, centuries ago, the number of volunteers was not as numerous as today, that does not mean that they were not willing to go out of their way to help others. Back then, people had other ways to volunteer. For example, during the Civil War, women volunteered to make shirts, towels, uniforms, and bandages. Later, in 1881, the Red Cross was founded by a woman named Clara Barton. One type of volunteering still present today is the concept of soup kitchens which dates back to the Great Depression. The type of volunteerism that early settlers brought to people today has had lasting effects. The long history of volunteering should remind us that community is important and much has been given to us, but through community service people have a way to give back. By helping the community, not only do they benefit, such as the sick, the environment, the hungry and the homeless, but people also improve emotionally and physically. Fundraising or volunteering at children's hospitals can have a positive impact on patients. . Even though... middle of paper ...... emotional state and academic record of. People may have many reasons for helping, such as wanting to make a good impression at colleges or to relieve depression. They might simply altruistically want to make a difference in nature or to the sick, hungry and homeless. Even if each action seems insignificant, it is important. By funding a cancer patient, we give them hope even if it seems like there is none. By planting an extra tree or picking up a few bottles lying around, the environment is helped. By giving one person food, one less person dies of hunger. He or she could have died, but that one meal could have saved their life. Volunteering is really beneficial. While there are disadvantages, the advantages far outweigh them. There are countless ways to volunteer, so you should take advantage of this opportunity to serve others..